Item:  Argyle Description: 'Jacket' warmer Hallmark: London circa 1776-86 by Charles Aldridge & Henry Green Dimensions: 155mm tall ; 370 grams

Comments: A superb Georgian argyle in excellent condition with engraved crest to the detachable cover. 

Argyles (also known as argyll) are purportedly named after the Duke of Argyle who first commissioned the vessel. They were used to keep gravy hot from the often long journey from kitchen to dining table. There are two main types; those with an outer jacket or those with an inner cylinder. This example is the former and has a small spout with hinged cover for the ingress of hot water. The whicker covered handle prevents the user from being scolded. The swan neck shaped spout is located low down on the body so that the best of the gravy poured out first leaving the fatty layer on top. An ingenious design! Argyles in good condition (they are virtually impossible to repair) are very rare and highly sought after. 

Henry Green appeared to be a specialist in making argyles. This particular piece was made during his partnership with Charles Aldridge and is likely date to the earlier years. Due to the double-skinned nature of the vessel, hallmarking would have been extremely difficult and therefore (rather naughtily) only the base and cover were sent to assay. As each piece was light in weight only the lion passant and maker's mark were necessary to be stamped.

An example of the second main form of argyle can be seen at this link:- KF/9071 

Price: SOLD

Ref. No.: BG/9070

Return to Curiosity listings